This is a delight. Mascagni wrote this enchanting bucolic comedy a year after Cavalleria rusticana. It suffers from an unusually daft, wafer-thin libretto in which the prosperous landowner Fritz overcomes his reluctance to marry when he meets the humble village maiden Suzel. Verdi harrumphed at the score’s “modernist” dissonances, false modulations and interrupted cadences, but today the music seems freshly charming and exuberant, with the irresistible Act 2 “Cherry Duet” as its hit number.

The performance, recorded live at a concert at the Deutsche Oper of Berlin, is just about ideal. Sadly, it probably marks the final collaboration between Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu, who are now professionally and personally separated. Both are happily in their element here: Alagna is in open, confident voice, while Gheorghiu is all coy charm and grace. They are strongly supported by Laura Polverelli as a gipsy and George Petean as the rabbi who challenges Fritz to find a wife. Alberto Veronesi is a light-fingered conductor, and the orchestral playing is superb. Don’t expect great art from this froth, but listening to it in the car, the bath or while ironing will give great pleasure.